Basic Site Details

Name: St Luke's Episcopal Church and parsonage and hall
Town, district or village: Dumbarton
City or county: Dunbartonshire
Country: Scotland
Parish:  
Status:  
Grid ref:
Notes: Dated 1873 on parsonage.

Building News 8 December 1871 Page 441
'DUMBARTON._The new church of S. Luke's, Dumbarton, from the well-considered plans prepared by Mr R. Anderson, architect, of George_street, Edinburgh, is now in course of erection. The site is a central one, in the High-street of the town. The area enc1osed forms a parallelogram 112 feet long by 56 feet broad, divided longitudinally into a nave and chancel, with north and south aisles, by piers and arches, eight on each side, supporting the clerestory wall. The chancel is a constructional one and defined by a massive, richly-moulded arch. The piers in the nave are alternately octagonal and circular, with moulded bases and capitals. In the chancel the piers are composed of clustered shafts, with carved capitals. Owing to the peculiarity of the site, no light can be obtained from the aisles, and a well-developed clerestory has therefore been introduced. The two-light windows in the clerestory of the nave are each enclosed in a pointed arch; the single lights in the chancel clerestory, six on either side, are inserted ill a rich arcade, which runs along the whole length of the wall. The east window consists of five, and the west window of four lights, in each case the head being filled with geometric tracery. Ample space is left between the cill of the east window and the floor, so as to admit of the introduction of a reredos and other suitable chancel decorations. The architect's plans also provide for a stately tower and spire in connection with the west front. Only the first stage of this will be erected at present, and it will form the vestry. A second vestry is placed at the end of the chancel aisle, as also the organ chamber. Open pews will be supplied for a congregation of about 500, the chancel being reserved for the choir and clergy. The style of architecture adopted is Early Geometric - a style well suited for a church in which it is difficult to obtain good light, and admits of large openings. The principal entrance will be from the High-street. The cost of the building will be about £4,000. From the Scottish Guardian.'

Alternative Names

The following alternative names are associated with this building/design:
 NameCurrent name?Notes
Item 1 of 1St Augustine's ChurchYesFormerly St Luke's.

Building Type Classification

The building is classified under the following categories:
 ClassificationOriginal classification?Notes
Item 1 of 1Church  

Events

The following date-based events are associated with this building:
 FromToEvent typeNotes
Item 1 of 318711873  
Item 2 of 31907  Hall
Item 3 of 31923  Communion rails and war memorial

People

Design and Construction

The following individuals or organisations have carried out design/construction work. Where architects or practices worked together, matching letters appear beside their names in the Partnership Group column.
 NameRolePartnership GroupFromToNotes
Item 1 of 4(Sir) Robert Rowand Anderson  18711873 
Item 2 of 4Alexander Cochran Denny  1907 Hall
Item 3 of 4Denny & Blain C1923 With R M McNAught in charge
Item 4 of 4Robert Mackison McNaught C1923 Communion rails and war memorial

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this building:
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Gifford, John and Walker, Frank Arneil2002Stirling and Central Scotland (The Buildings of Scotland) New Haven and London: Yale University Pressp398
Item 2 of 2RSA1872   824

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this building:
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Building News8 December 1871  p441
Item 2 of 2Dumbarton Herald25 April 1872   

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this building:
 SourceArchive nameSource catalogue no.Notes
Item 1 of 5Courtesy of Neil DarlingtonInformation sent via DSA website Sent October 2009
Item 2 of 5Dumbarton District LibraryDumbarton Dean of Guild Hall
Item 3 of 5Edinburgh University LibraryAnderson Collection (Plans and drawings) Drawings.
Item 4 of 5Historic Environment ScotlandListed Buildings Register24890 
Item 5 of 5National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMSWeddell and Thomson Archive Summary Material (Handlists, Job lists etc) Handlist - 2 sheets drawings (roll 57)